Aloft Greenville Slated to Open in 2015 in New Mixed-Use Development as Part of the City’s Downtown Revitalization

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its fast-growing Aloft brand will soon debut in Greenville, South Carolina. Aloft Greenville will open in early 2015 in a prime downtown location, featuring 144 spacious, loft-like rooms, leading-edge technology and a lively, social atmosphere. It will be the brand’s second hotel in South Carolina and the third Aloft hotel developed by McKibbon Hotel Group, joining Aloft Asheville Downtown and Aloft Tallahassee.

“We expect Aloft Greenville will emerge as a hotspot for savvy travelers and local professionals looking for a design-led experience and active social scene,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Aloft continues to see rapid growth fueled by robust demand from next generation travelers across the globe.”

Located next to Greenville’s ONE Building, Aloft Greenville will sit atop a new 470-space, $11.8 million dollar public garage. Part of the city’s downtown revitalization, the sleek, new development will also include retail shops and office space. Plans call for the development to be adjacent to a recently completed $4 million public plaza on Main Street.

“The evolution of downtown Greenville is one of the Southeast’s greatest success stories and we are excited to be part of it,” said Wes Townson, Vice President, Acquisitions, McKibbon Hotel Group. “Aloft Greenville will bring new excitement to the city, serving as a one-of-a-kind venue for the city and its visitors and a new option for special events and corporate meetings.”

The hotel will offer 2,800 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space and rooftop amenities including a Splash outdoor pool as well as the brand’s signature W XYZ® bar. The hotel is close to numerous shops and restaurants, as well as the Peace Center for the Performing arts, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the offices of BMW, Michelin and Fluor.

"We are thrilled to debut Aloft Hotels in Greenville. The hotel fits in well with our leasing strategy of finding high-quality, game-changing tenants to supplement Greenville’s growing downtown,” said Bob Hughes, President of Hughes Development Corporation.

“Aloft is a great match for the energy of downtown Greenville as we continue to aggressively grow the brand in dynamic cities throughout North America,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development for Starwood. “The Aloft brand’s success with youthful-minded travelers has caught the attention of owners and developers who are eager to introduce the brand to new markets.”

Aloft’s innovative and exclusive initiatives set it apart. Aloft recently announced that select properties will roll out Keyless Check-In, allowing guests to use smartphones to check in to the hotel and open their guestroom door. This follows on the heels of Smart Check-In, the first mobile check-in using RFID technology to truly bypass the front desk. In addition, its W XYZ® bars offer live, free access to local emerging artists as well as some of the hottest bands with Live at Aloft Hotels programming.

About Aloft Hotels
With 100 hotels open now and coming soon in 14 countries around the world, Starwood’s Aloft brand delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the ‘always on’ next generation of traveler, the Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com. Aloft, like all brands within Starwood's portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, the industry’s richest loyalty program. To learn more, please visit www.spg.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with nearly 1,200 properties in 100 countries, and 181,400 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

About McKibbon Hotel Group
McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc., based in Gainesville, Georgia, is a privately owned enterprise that has grown into an award-winning premier real estate developer and owner of nationally franchised hotel brands. McKibbon is proud to be a recognized leader for three generations in the hospitality industry, and McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida, currently operates 81 mid and upscale brands in 13 states throughout the U.S. The company has a rich history and culture that promotes a family oriented environment, while holding true to its core values of honesty, integrity and loyalty. For more information, visit www.mckibbon.com.